Bt products are found to be safe for use in
the environment and with mammals. The EPA (environmental protection agency)
has not found any human health hazards related to using Bt. In
fact the EPA has found Bt safe enough that it has exempted Bt
from food residue tolerances, groundwater restrictions, endangered species
labeling and special review requirements. Bt is often used near
lakes, rivers and dwellings, and has no known effect on wildlife such
as mammals, birds, and fish.

Humans exposed orally to 1000 mg/day for 3-5 days of
Bt have showed no ill effects. Many tests have been conducted
on test animals using different types of exposures. The results of the
tests showed that the use of Bt causes few if any negative effects.
Bt does not persist in the digestive systems of mammals.

Bt is found to be an eye irritant on test rabbits.
There is very slight irritation from inhalation in test animals which
may be caused by the physical rather than the biological properties of
the Bt formulation tested.

Bt has not been shown to have any chronic toxicity or any carcinogenic
effects. There are also no indication that Bt causes reproductive
effects or birth defects in mammals.

Bt breaks down readily in the environment. Because
of this Bt poses no threat to groundwater. Bt also breaks
down under the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun.

Even with such widespread use of Bt-based products
in the past 50 years, only two incidents of repored allergic reaction
have been reported to the EPA. In the first incident, it was concluded
that the exposed individual was suffering from a previously diagnosed
disease. The second involved a person that had a history of life-threatening
food allergies.Upon investigation, it was found that the formulation of
Bt also contained carbohydrate and preservatives which have been
implicated in food allergy.